Zoram is employed by Laban, a descendant of Joseph who has been keeper of the records in Jerusalem. When Nephi obeys the Spirit of the Lord and slays Laban in order to obtain the brass plates, Zoram is recruited as a member of the Lehi exodus (see 1 Nephi 4).
Later, Zoram marries the oldest daughter of Ishmael, who has also been persuaded by Nephi and his brethren to leave Jerusalem with his family (see 1 Nephi 16:7). When the aging Lehi blesses his sons after reaching the promised land, he includes Zoram, saying, “I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever” (2 Nephi 1:30). Thereafter, Zoram maintains his allegiance to Nephi’s group. When Nephi separates himself from his murderous older brothers, Laman and Lemuel, following the death of Lehi, Zoram is there to accompany him. In modern revelation, the name Zoramites is mentioned in association with the Nephite camp and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon (see D&C 3:16–20).